Frostburg mining journal. [volume] (Frostburg, Md.) 1871-1913, 1887-02-05

On motion, Albert HOLE was elected
chairman and Thomas Hill secretary.
&. H. Wittig moved the appoint
ment of a committee of five on resolu-
tions. Adopted.
OF the five nominated Messrs. G.. H.
Wittig, Walter Edwards and James
Hanson were present and served.
The committee retired and after
brief consultation returned and sub
mitted the following:
WHEREAS, At the late trial of William
Williams, in the Circuit Court for Alleganv
county upon the charge of setting fire to C. :.
+. Nicllers ware-roGm, it was developed and
fully shown by competent and respectable
witnesses, that said Williams confessed not
only to setting fire to Nickels, but to Will
liam II. Koch's also, and that hls accomplice
in these did set fire to the Wilson and Wine
land buildings; and
WHEREAS, The counsel for these incen-
diaries, David W. Sloan and Richard T.
Semmes, aided by one of our citizens. William
| Il. Percy, did i'll the conduct of said trial act
in an outrageous manner toward court, coun-
! sci and witnesses, and did malicously charge
those directly interested in the persecution of
the guilty parties with forming "damnable
| conspiracy' TO employ said Williams to do
! the burning and attach the blame to his ac-
complice, said counsel knowing said charge
! to be false when made and making no at
tempt to prove it; and
| WHEREAS The jury in said case rendered
verdict of not guilty, thereby setting free
this confessed incendlary to prey upon the
life and property of this community; there
fore be it
ReS0t9ei BY TIE citizens Of FrOStbatrg here
assembled, That we condemn the action OF
said jury and counsel as set forth in the fore
| going preamble.
| HSotpcd, That we ccnsure the court in al
| lowing counsel to smrCh the characters of
respectable citizens when called upon to
testify i'll said court by making false state
mcnts regardless of evidence they can pro-
ducc; and be it further
Hcso'pcd, That we hereby firmly request
| the said Williams and his aCcomplice to leave
this town and vicinity.
That the several acts recited in the fore
going preamble are by this meeting emphat-
| lcally condemned as ineXCusable and not in
| harmony with one of the primary objects of
| law, the protection of life and property.
That the conduct of all persons, official or
| unofficial, who contributed in any manner
to this defeat of Justice is hereby reprobated;
and
That we, the citizens of Frostburg and
| vicinity, appeal 70 the people of Allegany
county as a whole, to join us i'll all
/ honorable methods in fr0Wning down the
abuse and miscarriage Of justice which seems
to have crept into Its administration.
HeSoise@, That we respectfully request the
proper authorities OF the county to offer
! reward of Sl,000 for the detection and con-
yiction of the guilty party or parties who set
fire the Wilson building.
The committee had before them
two full drafts. In hurriedly COM
piling from each the copy reported
was not as nicely shaped as the COM
mittee would lave desired.
The last resolution was added to the
report of the committee, on motion of
Frederick Johnson, who used the oc
cason to make q vigorous address.
The resolutions were read, consider
ed and adopted seriatim.
Thomas Hill explained the interest
he had taken in the case. He, with
others, had aided the States attorney
in collecting evidence. He found
many persons interested, but few with
anything to say; they seemed dlsin-
cl!ned to so to court and he did not
wonder, as the manner of conducting
trials was a scandal and an outrage;
the counsel, undor the panoply of
their attorneyship, maligned respect
able witnesses. This must be stopped.
He did not question the right of coun-
sci to defend their case, but not to
abuse witnesses and make statements
they would not and did not intend to
prove. He then described the trial
and its issue and stated that the other
incendiary cases were dismissed. AS
they were dismissed they were now
open to the citizens of Frostburg and
could be reached at the April term.
He (HilD would help to see justice
done whoever the parties might be.
Mr.. Hill was applauded.
John Chambers said he would not
like to see the meeting adjourn with
out notifying Williams to leave town.
Mr.. Wittig believed in notifying all
concerned to go. [Applause.l
Chairman Hole said he believed
Williams was Il dupe and least guilty
Of all. LApplause.l
J. Jandorf made humorous speech,
detailing his first experience at an in
dignation meeting. He advised that
only lawful measures be taken, but
said there were persons in the county
who rule court and justice. He did
some talking about ''packed julies,"
and "Cumberland juries," and "street
corner juries.n
The resolutions were read by Sec
tions and after the reading of each the
chairman asked if there was any OBJ
lection. There was no objection Offer
ed to any Of them and a rising vote
was taken on them as whole. The
chair requested all in favor of the
resolutions to rise and about three
| .e LII